Looking for a physical activity that can be both physically and spiritually fulfilling? Yoga may be just what you seek, no matter your age, gender or physical ability. Mary Kate McMahon, Assistant Director of Campus Recreation (Fitness and Wellness) at Springfield College, explains: "Yoga has many benefits - physical, mental and spiritual. Yoga can help increase flexibility, strength and balance, which are components of fitness that tend to worsen as we age. Strength and balance training are especially important for adults and older adults to help us to function in our daily lives. Yoga also can improve mental relaxation and decrease stress levels. With the stress of today's fast-paced society, relaxation is especially important. Finally, yoga helps connect the mind and body, creating a spiritual experience for many people."
To begin, McMahon suggests, "Try starting with a beginner yoga class. More advanced classes, like power or vinyasa flow yoga, can be very challenging and might discourage beginners. Start simple and work your way up."
While each class will differ, most traditional yoga classes involve a combination of breathing exercises to calm and focus the mind, poses to build flexibility and strength, and flowing sequences of movements to generate heat within the body.
One misconception is that yoga is for people who are already flexible. In fact, yoga can be practiced just as effectively whether you have incredibly tight muscles and joints, or whether you can twist your body into positions that make your friends ask, "How do you do that?" While there are some very challenging yoga postures, many of the most common, beneficial poses feel quite natural and can be performed by just about anyone.
Most yoga poses and sequences have modifications that instructors can suggest so you can make your practice more or less challenging, depending on your strengths, limitations, aches and pains, and goals. "During the classes, you can modify your pose at anytime. You are in control of your body and its movement. There is no judgment or competition in yoga. The focus is only on your own body and how it feels", says Gina Ricciardi, a long-time yoga practitioner from Wilbraham, MA.
Before taking a class, find out about the type of yoga it will involve. There are countless forms of yoga, and you should be sure that the type of practice in the class will meet your preferences. Find out ahead of time if you need to bring your own yoga mat, block, strap, or any other equipment. Be sure to wear light, loose fitting, comfortable clothes. Bring a towel, and of course, plenty of water.
If you're ready to get started, you might like to check out the yoga classes offered at the YMCA of Greater Springfield, or a variety of yoga studios scattered throughout western Massachusetts.
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